Refinery bill passes depite Communist democraps

Shaun · 10-07-2005, 11:35 PM

I am so glad they passed this in the house now on to the senate. freaking commie democraps fought this one to the boards but they are going to limit special blends to 6 and not the current 21+

Refinery Bill Passes Amid Partisan Split

Friday, October 07, 2005

WASHINGTON — The House narrowly approved a Republican-crafted energy bill Friday aimed at encouraging construction of new refineries, although opponents said it would do nothing to ease energy prices while handing unneeded benefits to a profit-rich oil industry.

Supporters of the measure said that hurricanes Katrina and Rita made clear that the country needs more refineries, including new ones outside of the Gulf region. Critics argued it would allow the oil industry to avoid environmental regulations that would lead to dirtier air.

The bill passed 212-210. Its prospects in the Senate were uncertain.

The vote, which was supposed to be taken in five minutes, lasted more than 40 minutes as GOP leaders searched for the last two votes they needed to get the bill approved. They buttonholed lawmakers for last-minute lobbying as Democrats complained loudly that the vote should be closed. Finally two GOP lawmakers switched from "no" to "yes," giving the bill's supporters the margin of victory.

During the fight, some Democrats who had supported the legislation also switched their votes to "no." In the end, no Democrats voted for the legislation.

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said the bill streamlines the maze of permitting requirements for expanding or building refineries and directs the president to single out federal land where a refinery may be built. The changes could lead to construction of a new U.S. refinery within a year, he predicted.

But opponents said the legislation fails to address the rising cost of natural gas -- which will cause heating costs to soar this winter -- or deal with high prices motorists are paying at the pump. Instead, they argued, it will allow the oil industry to avoid environmental rules and force states and communities to accept refineries they don't want.

"Using Hurricane Katrina as their excuses the Republicans are again pushing their special interest agenda," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, including "all the special favors to the industry that were too extreme" for Congress last summer when it passed energy legislation.

But Barton said the need for more refineries was made obvious by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The hurricanes shut down a dozen refineries and disrupted a fifth of the country's gasoline supply.

The GOP legislation would give the federal government greater say in locating a refinery, at times, critics said, over community or state objections. It directs the president to select a number of closed military bases and other federal land available for refineries.

The bill also would limit to six the different blends of gasoline and diesel fuel that refiners would be required to produce, reversing a trend of using so-called "boutique" fuels to satisfy clean air demands. State officials complained the provision could limit states' ability to implement federal clean air requirements.

"The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices," complained Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., one of 13 Republicans who voted against the measure.

With prices soaring, "oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries" without government help, he maintained.

Barton countered that the legislation would give industry more "certainty" that a refinery project will not be delayed "without lessening any environmental law now on the books. ... The bill sets in motion a chain of events for lowering gas prices for Americans."

Attempts to add requirements that automakers increase vehicle fuel economy and a measure aimed at producing more natural gas were thwarted by GOP leaders who strictly limited the ability of lawmakers to amend the bill.

"Natural gas is an issue this (Congress) needs to deal with," said Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who was prevented under House rules for the bill from offering a proposal that would have opened offshore natural gas resources to drilling.

Among the groups trying to kill the bill were the National League of Cities, nine state attorneys general, most environmental organizations and groups representing state officials in charge of implementing federal clean air requirements. They said the bill would hinder their ability to ensure clean and healthy air.

Dale · 10-08-2005, 08:47 AM

Am I off by thinking that the oil companies would pass along to us the costs of building the oil refineries in the form of oil and gas increases anyway?

If so how would building more refineries help with fighting the rising costs of gas we see today?

I see building refineries as the end answer to making the oil companies even richer.

The article said the bill would require the President to select a spot of land on which the refinery(ies) will be built.

I can see who would get rich on that idea!

I agree that the U. S. needs to become more self sufficient in the production of oil and natural gas but until the oil companies are price regulated like utility companies we will only pay more and more while we go broke and the industry thrives and blossoms in wealth at our expenses.

burd1959 · 10-08-2005, 09:16 AM

maybee they can open the ones that got bought out and closed in michigan so they could raise more profits

Dale · 10-08-2005, 03:14 PM

I think that any oil company that resurrects an existing refinery is going to claim a huge cost to make 'needed' repairs, up-grades, modifications, etc. and those costs have to be absorbed by someone...US.

I don't think any logical person is going to expect that the large oil companies are ever about to give use lil folks a price break and not make themselves a huge profit when the opportunity arises.

Every modern day law that is passed has an edge that makes someone...or some corporation...beneficiary to the end results of the law itself.

That end result is money...profits, etc.

And it ain't us that is profiting.

NorCalAshnjikov · 10-09-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

freaking commie democraps fought this one to the boards but they are going to limit special blends to 6 and not the current 21+

commie democraps? You are so blind. I'm suprised part of the bill doesn't specify on which tuesday of the month the oil executives are entitled to felatio from anyone they chose.

I wonder if your opinion will change when gas hits $5/gallon next year

Shaun · 10-09-2005, 10:34 AM

Norcal if we don't get more refineries then we are going to see those high prices and we need to build them in places that will not be affected by hurricanes or quakes. How do you expect to get fuel? One way we can deal with the gas companies is to contact our representatives and request price controls to lock the prices at an affordable level. Remember the tree huggers have been behind these boutique blends and all these ridiculous smog laws.

10-07-2005, 11:35 PM	#1
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	Refinery bill passes depite Communist democraps I am so glad they passed this in the house now on to the senate. freaking commie democraps fought this one to the boards but they are going to limit special blends to 6 and not the current 21+ Refinery Bill Passes Amid Partisan Split Friday, October 07, 2005 WASHINGTON — The House narrowly approved a Republican-crafted energy bill Friday aimed at encouraging construction of new refineries, although opponents said it would do nothing to ease energy prices while handing unneeded benefits to a profit-rich oil industry. Supporters of the measure said that hurricanes Katrina and Rita made clear that the country needs more refineries, including new ones outside of the Gulf region. Critics argued it would allow the oil industry to avoid environmental regulations that would lead to dirtier air. The bill passed 212-210. Its prospects in the Senate were uncertain. The vote, which was supposed to be taken in five minutes, lasted more than 40 minutes as GOP leaders searched for the last two votes they needed to get the bill approved. They buttonholed lawmakers for last-minute lobbying as Democrats complained loudly that the vote should be closed. Finally two GOP lawmakers switched from "no" to "yes," giving the bill's supporters the margin of victory. During the fight, some Democrats who had supported the legislation also switched their votes to "no." In the end, no Democrats voted for the legislation. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said the bill streamlines the maze of permitting requirements for expanding or building refineries and directs the president to single out federal land where a refinery may be built. The changes could lead to construction of a new U.S. refinery within a year, he predicted. But opponents said the legislation fails to address the rising cost of natural gas -- which will cause heating costs to soar this winter -- or deal with high prices motorists are paying at the pump. Instead, they argued, it will allow the oil industry to avoid environmental rules and force states and communities to accept refineries they don't want. "Using Hurricane Katrina as their excuses the Republicans are again pushing their special interest agenda," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, including "all the special favors to the industry that were too extreme" for Congress last summer when it passed energy legislation. But Barton said the need for more refineries was made obvious by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The hurricanes shut down a dozen refineries and disrupted a fifth of the country's gasoline supply. The GOP legislation would give the federal government greater say in locating a refinery, at times, critics said, over community or state objections. It directs the president to select a number of closed military bases and other federal land available for refineries. The bill also would limit to six the different blends of gasoline and diesel fuel that refiners would be required to produce, reversing a trend of using so-called "boutique" fuels to satisfy clean air demands. State officials complained the provision could limit states' ability to implement federal clean air requirements. "The bill weakens state and federal environmental standards ... and gives a break to wealthy oil companies while doing little or nothing to affect oil prices," complained Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., one of 13 Republicans who voted against the measure. With prices soaring, "oil companies now have all the profits and incentives they need to build new refineries" without government help, he maintained. Barton countered that the legislation would give industry more "certainty" that a refinery project will not be delayed "without lessening any environmental law now on the books. ... The bill sets in motion a chain of events for lowering gas prices for Americans." Attempts to add requirements that automakers increase vehicle fuel economy and a measure aimed at producing more natural gas were thwarted by GOP leaders who strictly limited the ability of lawmakers to amend the bill. "Natural gas is an issue this (Congress) needs to deal with," said Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who was prevented under House rules for the bill from offering a proposal that would have opened offshore natural gas resources to drilling. Among the groups trying to kill the bill were the National League of Cities, nine state attorneys general, most environmental organizations and groups representing state officials in charge of implementing federal clean air requirements. They said the bill would hinder their ability to ensure clean and healthy air. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-08-2005, 08:47 AM	#2
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Am I off by thinking that the oil companies would pass along to us the costs of building the oil refineries in the form of oil and gas increases anyway? If so how would building more refineries help with fighting the rising costs of gas we see today? I see building refineries as the end answer to making the oil companies even richer. The article said the bill would require the President to select a spot of land on which the refinery(ies) will be built. I can see who would get rich on that idea! I agree that the U. S. needs to become more self sufficient in the production of oil and natural gas but until the oil companies are price regulated like utility companies we will only pay more and more while we go broke and the industry thrives and blossoms in wealth at our expenses. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me Last edited by Dale; 10-08-2005 at 03:05 PM.

10-08-2005, 03:14 PM	#4
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	I think that any oil company that resurrects an existing refinery is going to claim a huge cost to make 'needed' repairs, up-grades, modifications, etc. and those costs have to be absorbed by someone...US. I don't think any logical person is going to expect that the large oil companies are ever about to give use lil folks a price break and not make themselves a huge profit when the opportunity arises. Every modern day law that is passed has an edge that makes someone...or some corporation...beneficiary to the end results of the law itself. That end result is money...profits, etc. And it ain't us that is profiting. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

10-09-2005, 10:34 AM	#6
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	Norcal if we don't get more refineries then we are going to see those high prices and we need to build them in places that will not be affected by hurricanes or quakes. How do you expect to get fuel? One way we can deal with the gas companies is to contact our representatives and request price controls to lock the prices at an affordable level. Remember the tree huggers have been behind these boutique blends and all these ridiculous smog laws. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-08-2005, 09:16 AM	#3
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 608	maybee they can open the ones that got bought out and closed in michigan so they could raise more profits